MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 31, 2025) – Connor Hall’s bid for three straight victories for JR Motorsports fell just short on Saturday night at Wake County (N.C.) Speedway. The driver of the No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet came home second to race winner Mini Tyrell on the tight, banked quarter-mile oval.
Starting 13th after working out some handling issues in practice, Hall maintained track position as the 125-lap feature progressed. With the close quarters, there was contact all around the bullring, but Hall was able to move forward.
On lap 73, Hall was coming off Turn 2 when two cars ahead of him tangled. Left with little room, Hall sustained right-front fender damage to the No. 88 Chevrolet, but continued on with no apparent effect and gained two positions in the process.
Hall continued his march up the order and was sitting second with around 20 laps remaining. Battling with Doug Barnes, the 28-year-old Virginian kept pace and squeezed past with three laps to go despite the persistent tight condition. Pulling up to race-long leader Mini Tyrrell, Hall challenged for the win but ended up second at the checkered flag. Barnes was third, followed by Kade Brown and Landen Lewis in the top five.
Next race for Hall and the JR Motorsports Late Model team is set for April 12 at Georgia’s Cordele Motor Speedway and it will be a big event for the team. Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. will also make the trek south for the event.
Connor Hall, driver, No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet:
“We unloaded pretty decent and struggled with some handling issues that stalled most of our progress. We were a little too tight in practice and freed it up before qualifying and the race was kind of crazy once you got into the top six or seven. It was a good points day for the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. I’m excited that we have won and finished second in the first two races. With how long the season is, any time you can get max or nearly max points, it is a good thing. At a place like Wake County where it is so tight, you have to take care of your car. You’re going to hit the wall and other cars, and we did, but it wasn’t too bad. It’s on to Cordele with Dale Jr. and we’re looking to continue this momentum there.”